TNA iMPACT! Report - 7/2

Show opens with a recap of Samoa Joe joining the Main Event Mafia. They show us how last week's show ended, when Nash and Sting had a confrontation in the center of the ring and Sting got taken out by the Mafia.

"Double J Takes Control"

I can see a graphic on the big screen for the July 19th PPV, Victory Road.
Iron Mike wonders what Angle will have in store for Foley. What will Jarrett have to say? I guess we're about to get some answers because the Mafia is headed to the ring.

Tenay hypes the match between Booker/Steiner and 3D tonight for the chance to face Beer Money Inc. at Victory Road.

Kurt takes the mic and tells Sting it's all business, nothing personal. Him not knowing was just what needed to be done. The crowd is hating on the Mafia. Angle calls out Foley, who heads to the ring with his bodyguards in tow.

Is it just me or does Scott Steiner look like he wants to beat the tar out of everyone? Seriously, he will eat your face.

Kurt is giving Foley some lip about 3D asking and being granted the chance for a rematch at Victory Road vs. Beer Money. The crowd is chanting Angle sucks, because really, is there an easier guy to hate then Kurt Angle? We've been hating this guy since he started in WWE. Foley is pleading for a match against Angle at Victory Road. Angle tells Steiner to take out Foley's bodyguards with the bat. I told you Steiner wanted to kick some butt.

Foley is so bland to me.

Angle gives him the choice as to who he wants kicking his butt. Nobody in the crowd really seems to care when the Mafia starts beating up Foley. Music hits and it's Jarrett, who comes to the ring with his guitar, but he shocks everyone and hits Foley. Angle and the rest of the Mafia cheer him on, but Jarrett isn't with them. Mild pop for the guitar shot as we head to our first break.

When we come back, we see a replay of the chair shot and then we see that Foley is backstage telling people that he doesn't want any help. Mike Tenay introduces himself and Don West and has his usual inquisitive look on his face. What is Don West saying that is so interesting? They send it to J.B. backstage and Jarrett is yelling at Foley with security holding him back. All hell has broken loose!

But now it's time for a previously taped interview with Mike Tenay and Kevin Nash. Tenay talks about Nash leaving the WWF for WCW and Nash mentions how he worked a ton of dates and wasn't paid well. He wanted to make money for himself and his friends, so when WCW offered more money and less bookings, he jumped. They discuss the legends title shot vs. A.J. Styles at Victory Road and Nash says it would be nice to win because he'll be able to make more money at autograph signings.

Match 1: Cody Deaner w/ ODB vs. Amazing Red

After a commercial break, Abyss is looking for Dr. Stevie backstage. Lauren is back there with him, freaking the hell out ? and really, I'm a little creeped out too.

Cody Deaner comes to the ring with ODB. He's taking on Amazing Red. Seriously, first couple minutes of the match, the Deaner can't mount any offense. Red is making him look like a clown. Hurricanrana by Red to Deaner sends him out of the ring. Red goes airborne twisting over the top rope to the outside and the crowd is cheering him on. Deaner reverses with a clothesline and after a little corner action, Deaner goes for the pin. Deaner picks Red up, but Deaner gets thrown into the turnbuckle. Spinning heel kick by Red knocks Deaner down. Red goes to the top rope, but before he can make a move, ODB pulls him down to the mat. Deaner then goes to the top rope, but ODB is telling him not to do it. She's right because Deaner goes for a splash and misses. Red hits the Red Eye and gets the pinfall. **1/2

Winner: Amazing Red

Quick Booker T promo before we join Abyss' backstage wanderings once again. Now he's knocking things over looking for Dr. Stevie. Abyss gets confronted by the head of security and we are going to a commercial.

When we rejoin, Tenay sends it backstage to J.B. who's with Jarrett. Angle and the Mafia head into the locker room because Angle wants to have a sitdown with J.J. Steiner is behind them and still looks pissed. This guy cannot wait for his turn to beat someone up. Jarrett says he wants nothing to do with Kurt's offer and that he owns the company, so he's running the show. Tonight, there's going to be a tag match and it's going to be Angle and Joe vs. Jarrett and A.J. Styles. But we have a stipulation! If the Mafia wins, Angle keeps the belt. If A.J. or Jarrett score a pinfall, they get the strap.

Tenay and Don cut a promo for TNA on the road.

And before we head to commercial, we're backstage with Lauren and Jenna talking about Sharmell's challenge at Victory Road.

Sojournor Bolt interrupts and says she's Sharmell's girl. She's going to have Sharmell ready for her match with Jenna at Victory Road.

Now it's time for a word from our sponsor.

There are some ugly people in this crowd tonight. Borash is backstage with Angle, who is pissed he's gotta wrestle tonight. Angle tells Jarrett that he just signed his death certificate and spouts off for a moment before taking off. Booker tells Sharmell to find Matt Morgan.

Match 2: Eric Young vs. Rhino w/ Jesse Neal

Eric Young makes his way to the ring and Tenay reminds everyone how Young walked out on Rhino at Slammiversary. Rhino is headed to the ring with Jesse Neal. Everyone loves Rhino! Right away, Rhino is messing Young up, but Young reverses an Irish whip and send Rhino into the ropes. Young takes control and after giving Rhino a slow pounding that includes punches, choking and a reverse chinlock. Young heads outside the ring to send Jesse Neal into the steel barricade. Young gets back in the ring and continues to beat up on Rhino, but he fights back and hits a spinebuster on Young. Rhino goes for the pin, but Neal climbs on the apron and distracts the ref. Rhino goes to yell at Neal and Young rolls him up and gets the pinfall. **

Winner: Eric Young

We see Sharmell backstage where she finds Morgan. Sharmell tells the Blueprint that Kurt wants to see him and he acts giddy like a school girl. Morgan screams about how excited he is to join the Mafia and we head to commercial.

As we return, I notice, the crowd is still ugly. Borash is backstage and wants to know if Morgan is joining the Mafia. Kurt says that he's under consideration, but he needs to do more things if he wants to become a member. Booker is just staring eerily at Morgan. After Morgan reminds Angle that he took care of Sting last week, Kurt says that he needs to make sure his bbuttes are covered and that Morgan needs to keep Daniels away from the ring tonight.

Promo for Sarita.

Match 3: Angelina Love and Velvet Sky w/ Madison Rayne vs. Tara and Awesome Kong w/ Raisha Saeed

The Beautiful People head out first followed by Awesome Kong and her tag team partner Tara. West makes a creepy sexting comment about his relationship with Velvet Sky. Yuck.

Tara and Sky start things off with Velvet getting the upper hand. The ref pulls Sky off Tara, who gets the advantage with a couple of arm drags. Tara tags in Awesome Kong who proceeds to pound on Sky. Angelina tags in and Kong takes it to her, tossing Angelina in the corner. Kong tags in Tara, but Love gets the upper hand. She tags in Sky, who hits some kicks and an elbow. Crowd is a little light for this one. After getting a reversal, Tara tags in Kong who starts cleaning house. Kong sets up for a powerbomb, but Love stops that. Tara sends Angelina out of the ring and then sends her into the ringpost.

Kong hits an implant buster on Sky and scores the pinfall. *1/2

Winner: Tara and Awesome Kong

After the match, Tara puts a tarantula on the knocked out Sky and Kong is freaked out! Love and Madison Rayne go running away.

We're back after the break and Lauren is backstage with Angelina, who is still freaked out about the spider.

Match 4: Team 3D vs. Scott Steiner and Booker T — No. 1 contender's match

We are treated to a Brother Ray promo and then we cut to Beer Money who is headed to the announce table, where they'll join Iron Mike and Don West. Team 3D is on their way to the ring for their matchup with Scott Steiner and Booker T, who head to the ring next with Sharmell. This match will determine who faces Beer Money at Victory Road for the tag belts. We're all standing in the center of the ring jawing back and forth. We'll finally start with Scotty and Brother Ray. Beer Money says they were up to facing the Dudley's for a rematch, but are willing to face anyone. Steiner takes control in the corner. Scotty with a t-bone suplex and we've got some back and forth in the center of the ring. Sidewalk slam by Brother Ray, who goes for the three-count. Nothing. Brother Ray tags in Devon, who sends Steiner into the ropes but a reversal lets Book kick Devon in the back. Book tags in and takes control. Steiner Heat double team Devon in the corner. Steiner Heat ? I like that. Can I copyright that? Belly to belly by Steiner on Devon followed by a kick by Booker. Devon's down. Book picks him up, sends him into the ropes and we have a double clothesline, both men are on the canvas. The crowd is hot for this match. Ray gets tagged in and takes down Book with a clothesline and then he hits Steiner with the Bubba bomb. Goes for Booker, who hits the Bookend.

Bashir and Kiyoshi attack Beer Money at the announce table.

3D on Booker T, but Sharmell distracts while Devon has the pin. Steiner goes for a clothesline and misses. He gets knocked down and Dudley's hit the Wbuttup. Devon goes for the table, but the British Invasion comes out to the ring. While Doug Williams distracts the ref, Magnus comes through the crowd and hits Ray with the briefcase. Brother Ray is knocked out and Book gets the pinfall. **1/2

Winners: Scott Steiner and Booker T

And we're off to a commercial.

Match 5: Jethro Holliday vs. Jay Lethal

When we rejoin, Jethro Holliday is in the ring to face Black Machismo. Lethal's music hits, but he doesn't come to the ring. Backstage, we see Abyss is messing up Lethal Consequences. This guy is on the rampage tonight. Abyss heads to the ring and hits the Blackhole Slam on Holliday. Abyss sends him out of the ring and grabs a mic calling for Dr. Stevie. Abyss doesn't want anymore treatment from the Dr., he just wants to mess Stevie up. Stevie shows up on the big screen and he's got Lauren backstage. Stevie says Abyss needs to show up for therapy next week or else. The crowd is cheering for Abyss as he runs up the ramp.

Winner: N/A

After a commercial break, we're back for the night's main event.

Match 6: Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Jarrett and A.J. Styles

Jarrett is headed to the ring with A.J. the next to come down. Joe and Kurt follow. What's that you say? Commercial time?

Ok, we're back once again, but now, we're waiting for J.B. to finish up the announcements. Borash introduces Jarrett and Styles and it's obvious who the crowd is behind. I said it before, people hate Angle. He's a great heel. Jarrett and Angle to start us off, collar and elbow in the center of the ring. Back and forth slingshots on the ropes and then J.J. goes for a sunset flip. Angle reverses and goes for the ankle lock. They break up and stare each other down. Some more back and forth until Jarrett hits a back elbow on Angle. J.J. tags in Styles. Angle rakes A.J.'s eyes, but Angle's holding his arm and tags in Joe. A.J. and Joe go at it. Styles with a dropkick and Angle is back in the ring. A.J. sends Angle over the top rope. A.J. and J.J. double clothesline Joe and we head to commercial.

We're back and A.J. is lying in the center of the ring. Joe tags in Angle, who stomps on A.J.'s leg. They show Angle hitting a nasty release suplex during the commercial break on Styles. Angle is methodically taking apart A.J., but Styles reverses with an enzuigiri. Both he and Angle are down. Joe goes running across the ring to knock Jarrett off the ring apron and Angle tags in Joe who continues to beat on A.J. Styles with a springboard into an inverted DDT hold on Joe. Angle runs in and A.J. locks him up to hit the DDT on both of them. Joe gets some momentum and tries to choke Styles, but A.J. kicks Joe and both of them are face down on the mat. Jarrett and Angle get tagged in and Angle goes for the Olympic slam, but J.J. reverses and hits a double underhook suplex. Jarrett goes for the pin and when Joe comes in to drop the elbow on Jarrett, he rolls out of the way and Joe hits Angle. Joe gets up and sets up Jarrett for the Muscle Buster, but A.J. springboards off the rope to knock out Joe and the ref. Angle gets the ankle lock on Jarrett. J.J. almost gets to Styles for the tag, but Joe knocks A.J. off the apron. Jarrett blacks out from the ankle lock and Angle/Joe win the match. ***

Winners: Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe

Mafia heads to the ring and A.J. clears them all out after their arrival. Mafia finally gets the upperhand on Styles and we cut to backstage where Matt Morgan is attacking Daniels so he won't head out. The lights go out and then Sting's music hits. When the lights come on, Sting is in the ring and he clears house with the baseball bat. Stinger grabs Angle's belt, the lights go out, and he's gone.

Good show tonight. Good pace and flow. Looking forward to what happens with this Sting/Mafia storyline. I hope it doesn't get too big and involve everyone though. We'll see. Until next week.