Impact Report for January 28, 2006
by Richard Trionfo
While there is no TNA pay per view for two weeks, many have been saying that this is the most important episode of Impact because it will be the Impact debut of Sting. What will Sting say and how will it affect Against All Odds? Who will face Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Title at Against All Odds? Who will Team 3D choose for their opponent at Against All Odds? What new matches will be announced for Against All Odds? What will happen in the X Division? What about the tag team division? Will we hear from Jackie Gayda? Will we hear from Jeff Jarrett? Are you ready to Morphoplex?
Just like last week, at the end of this report, I have added the ‘Xplosion Xclusive’ match from this week’s episode of Xplosion. Thanks to Paul Zimmerman for doing an Xplosion Report this week, and it should return next week.
We see footage from Sting’s appearance at Final Resolution, and then we see Shane Douglas and Don West waiting for Sting. We find out that Sting was not going to appear, but he would be here this week for a ‘huge, major announcement’, according to Christian.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘TNA’ Tenay and Don ‘You have got to be kidding me’ West.
Match Number One: Jeff Jarrett (with Gail Kim) versus Jay Lethal in a non-title match
Jarrett attacks Lethal before the bell rings and Lethal is sent to the floor. Jarrett sends Lethal into the guardrail and then Irish whips Lethal into another part of the guardrail. Jarrett gets Lethal up for a suplex, but drops Lethal on the guardrail. From out of the Chute of Facial Impact, Jackie Gayda emerges and she comes down and gets in Jarrett’s face. Gail Kim comes over and gets between Jackie and Jeff. Jackie has a tape recorder and she hands it to Gail. Gail walks away. Jarrett rolls Lethal into the ring and he kicks Lethal while Jackie and Gail leave. Lethal ducks a clothesline and he chops Jarrett followed by a jumping leg lariat. Lethal with a springboard drop kick and then he goes up top for a diving headbutt, but he only gets a two count. Jarrett tosses Lethal into the air and then he picks up Lethal and hits the Stroke for the three count.
Winner: Jeff Jarrett
After the match, Christian’s music plays and he emerges from the Chute of Facial Impact and he has a mic. Christian tells Jarrett that he didn’t come out here with any comedy or any jokes. He came out with a promise. It is a promise from Larry Zbyszko and the championship committee. At Against All Odds, it will be Jeff Jarrett versus Christian Cage for the NWA World Title. Christian says that he will save the TNA fans from Jarrett and he will fulfill his destiny by winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Team 3D versus Buck Quartermaine and Kenny King
Team 3D attacks Buck and Kenny before the bell and Buck is sent out of the ring while Devon clotheslines Kenny and then slams his head into the turnbuckle. Devon with a series of punches to Kenny and then he chokes Kenny with his boot. Ray is tagged in and he chops Kenny followed by a suplex for a near fall. Ray with another suplex and then he pulls Kenny up and punches him. Kenny kicks Ray and then he tags in Quartermaine. Ray with a release German suplex and then Devon is tagged in. Ray knocks King off the apron and then they hit the 3D on Quartermaine for the three count.
Winners: Team 3D
After the match Brother Ray has a mic and a plaque in his hand. He announces that they were named the tag team of the year in TNA and he thanks the fans because they have only been there for three months. Ray addresses Larry’s question. Ray says that they cannot choose. It is one of their toughest decisions. Do they go after Team Canada or AMW? The crowd chants ‘both’. They want both, but Zbyszko won’t let them face both teams. They are going to leave their most important decision in the hands of the fans. He asks the fans which team they want to see Team 3D face. Their fate is in the fan’s hands. You can go to the TNA website and vote. Ray tells both teams that no matter what team the people vote for, it will be a bad day for them. Devon tells us to testify.
We have a video package of the X Division match. A.J. says that throwing in the towel was the toughest decision he had to make. Daniels says that he understands that A.J. had all of the best intentions when he threw in the towel. Joe says that when you step into the ring with him, he will hurt you. Daniels says that he is annoyed that A.J. threw in the towel. Joe questions their friendship. Daniels comments on throwing in the towel last week. A.J. says what goes around comes around. Daniels says that A.J. understands his point. Larry says that at Against All Odds, it will be a Triple Threat match between Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, and Christopher Daniels for the X Division Title.
We go to the back where Shane Douglas walks up to Jerry Lynn and the GenBassy (Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, and Alex Shelley [with ShelleyCam]). Austin tells Jerry that they were told to get victories and they have two of them. Jerry wonders why they are so excited over two victories, but ‘big whoopity-doo’ about the victories. Jerry says that they cheated. Jerry says that they are great at making him nuts.
Matt Bentley and Traci Brooks come into the interview area and he asks them if they are singing the same song and dance. Matt has some advice for them and tells them to stop complaining to Jerry about an opportunity and do something about it. Matt says that they haven’t even been in the company long enough to sweep the ring. Matt asks Jerry where his opportunity is. Matt talks about the Bentley Bounce and how the people love him. When does Matt Bentley get his opportunity. Jerry asks Matt if he didn’t see the lineup because he will get his opportunity right now. Jerry walks away. Matt tells the GenBassy to pay attention to him to see how to be successful. Matt walks away and Alex tells Shane that he has a perfect face for radio. We go to commercial.
We are back and Mike and Don are at the announce position and they talk about Against All Odds, and how the X Division title match is now a Triple Threat Match. They also talk about the NWA World Title match between Christian and Jeff Jarrett. Don also talks about how Sting will make a major announcement tonight.
Match Number Three: Matt Bentley (with Traci Brooks) versus Samoa Joe in a non-title match
Joe charges at Bentley, but Matt moves out of the way and he comes off the ropes, but Joe catches him and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Joe with a series of kicks and a knee that sends Matt to the mat. Matt pushes Joe off, but Joe with a running knee to Bentley. Bentley with a chop to Joe, but Joe with a Irish whip. Joe charges into a boot from Bentley and Bentley goes up for a missile drop kick, but Joe walks out of the way. The GenBassy appear on the Ramp of Heelish Impact as Joe hits a running senton splash on Bentley. Jerry Lynn is also watching from ringside. Joe with a running back elbow after Bentley connects with an elbow and comes off the ropes. Joe with a forearm to Bentley. Joe with a wheelbarrow into a bulldog. Bentley with a clothesline and forearm, but Joe does not go down. Bentley with a rana for a two count. Bentley goes up for the punches of ten, but Joe pushes Bentley off. Joe with a running knee to Bentley’s head in the corner. Joe puts Bentley on the turnbuckle for the muscle buster, but Bentley escapes the hold. Bentley tries for a super kick, but Joe blocks it. Bentley comes off the ropes and tries for another wheelbarrow move, but Joe counters and puts Bentley in the Choke and Bentley taps out. We go to commercial.
Winner: Samoa Joe
We are back with a video package of the Abyss/James Mitchell/Team Canada package along with a footage of the Rhino/Abyss feud.
Match Number Four: Abyss (with James Mitchell) versus Rhino
Abyss and Rhino exchange punches and chops as the match begins. Rhino gets the advantage and he kicks Abyss followed by a running shoulder into the corner. Abyss with an Irish whip, but he charges into two shoulders. Rhino with a belly-to-belly suplex and he sets up for the GORE, but Abyss moves out of the way and goes outside the ring to discuss strategy with James Mitchell as we go to commercial.
We are back Rhino punches Abyss. Abyss grabs Rhino by the throat, but Rhino gets out of the hold with an elbow. Rhino charges at Abyss, but he charges into a big boot from Abyss. Abyss punches Rhino as we see Dave Hebner. Abyss with a knee to stop Rhino’s come back. Abyss chokes Rhino in the ropes and then punches him in the corner. Abyss charges at Rhino and hits the splash. Jim Mitchell tells Abyss to finish off Rhino. Abyss punches Rhino in the head, but Rhino gets Abyss on his shoulders. Abyss escapes the hold, but Rhino is able to hit a spinebuster. Rhino sets up for the GORE, but Abyss throws Rhino over the top rope to the floor. Abyss goes out and gets a steel chair and hits Rhino in the back twice. Abyss chases the referee to the back as he continues to attack Rhino. Rhino and Abyss exchange punches as they fight to the back. Rhino hits Abyss with a trash can and Abyss goes down. Rhino rearranges some things in the interview area and then he hits Abyss with a chair. Rhino gets the trash can and he hits Abyss with it again. Rhino sets for a GORE and he GORES Abyss through the wall and the ref calls for the bell.
Winner: No Contest
After the match, the medical staff checks on Rhino and Abyss as we go to commercial.
We are back and Mike Tenay is in the ring. He says that he has seen very few ‘magical moments’ and January 15, 2006 was one of those moments when Sting made his entrance until his hand was raised in victory. Mike Tenay introduces the man called Sting. The lights go out and Sting comes to the ring. Mike gives Tenay the mic as the crowd chants ‘welcome back’. Sting says that he has something that he needs to get off his chest. In March, 2001, he wrestled what he believed was his last match against Ric Flair in Panama City. When he wrestled that match, his entire career went before his eyes. He remembers the Baltimore Arena where he had his first World title match. He remembers his first Clash of Champions in Greensboro against Ric Flair. He remembers rappelling down from the rafters in Chicago as well as rappelling from a helicopter in Panama City. There is one thing that he remembered was the fans. There was one thing that was bogus about that night because he never go to say goodbye to the fans. He heard people saying that to him over the last five years. He missed the smells of the arena and the roar of the crowd. When TNA contacted him and told him that they got on SpikeTV. He was asked if he wanted to be a part of the company. He started watching and saw many people who are the future of the sport and will be future champions. He said that TNA is his brand. Sting says that TNA is awesome and it was ‘now or never’ after five years. He took that offer and wrestled at Final Resolution in his first match in five years. When he walked through the tunnel and heard the crowd chant ‘you still got it’, the red blood cells were moving through his veins like never before. All of the crowd’s roars in the big arenas could not match up to the crowd in Orlando at Final Resolution. He says that he means what he says. The one thing that was missing five years ago was that he could not say goodbye the way that he could say goodbye. Final Resolution was his ‘final resolution’. Sting wants to thank TNA management, Dixie Carter and the Carter family, and the fans. Sting says that he has to do this. It was a memory that he does not want to forget and he does not want it to be tainted. He wants to take this opportunity to say goodbye and thank you. Sting says that he loves the crowd and he thanks them for the memories. He says that he is saying goodbye. Sting puts his baseball bat in the center of the ring and walks away. Sting walks up the Ramp of Facial Impact and A.J. Styles tells him that he will miss Sting. Chris Sabin and Sonjay Dutt also come out. Christian and Sting have some words and Sting hugs him and walks into the Chute of Facial Impact as we go to credits.
Your ‘Xplosion Xclusive’ match: Team Canada (Bobby Roode and A1) versus The Naturals (from the January 3, 2006 Impact/Xplosion tapings)
Roode and Stevens start things off. Roode with a side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Stevens with a leap frog and arm drag followed by a drop kick and an arm drag take down into an arm bar. Roode with a rake of the eyes. A1 tags in, but Stevens with a drop toe hold into a front face lock. Stevens with knees to A1’s abdomen followed by a punch and Douglas is tagged in. Douglas drives A1’s head into Stevens’s knee and he gets a near fall. Douglas with a running back elbow followed by a punch. Douglas and Stevens alternate punches on A1. Douglas with a running high knee to A1 and both men are down. Douglas holds his knee. While the ref is focused on A1, Roode comes over and wrings Douglas’s leg into the ring post. Roode and A1 double team Douglas and work on the knee. Roode ‘tags’ in and then he puts Douglas’s leg into the ropes and he kicks the knee. Roode with an atomic drop to Douglas’s knee followed by an elbow drop to the knee. Roode continues to apply pressure to the knee and then kicks it before tagging A1 back into the match. A1 rams Douglas’s knee into the mat. A1 with a dragon screw leg whip and gets a two count. A1 wraps Douglas’s leg in the ropes and kicks it. Roode tags in and he kicks Douglas in the knee. Roode tries for another atomic drop on the knee, but Douglas counters with a DDT and both men are down. Stevens and A1 tag in and Stevens with a flying forearm and kip up followed by a back kick and leaping swinging neckbreaker. Roode comes in, but Stevens throws Roode over the top rope to the floor. The Naturals set up for the Natural Disaster, but Roode is able to come in and throw Douglas out of the ring. Stevens sees that his partner is outside of the ring and Roode tries for the Northern Lariat. Stevens senses that Roode is coming at him and he ducks, causing Roode to hit A1 with the Northern Lariat. Stevens kicks Roode in the abdomen and Douglas holds on to Roode’s leg while Stevens gets the three count.
Winners: The Naturals
