TNA iMPACT!
November 3rd 2005
This is a very special episode of iMPACT, as it is TNA’s first ever two-hour primetime special! The show opens with a pretty impressive video package, recapping historic moments in the 3 ½ year history of TNA.
Our hosts, as always, are Don West and Mike Tenay.
Jeff Hardy, Sabu, and Lance Hoyt vs Diamonds in the Rough
Diamonds in the Rough consists of Simon Diamond, David Young, and “Primetime” Elix Skipper. Skipper has gone from main-eventing Turning Point, to challenging for the X title at Lockdown, to becoming a jobber in need of guidance from Simon Diamond. He has my sympathy. This was actually pretty smart of TNA to open up their first primetime special with Jeff Hardy, a man most casual wrestling fans recognize and (for the most part) like. The Diamonds in the Rough look formidable together, perhaps there is a push in their future… though I would not count on it. Hoyt and Diamond start the match off. Hoyt misses a big boot, allowing Diamond to tag in Young. Hoyt tags out to Jeff Hardy, who wrings Young’s wrist and drops him on his back. Hardy hits an off the top rope flip on Young, who escapes to Skipper for a tag. Hardy tags in Sabu, and he does some fancy battle with Skipper. Skipper tags in Young, and they hit a double suplex on Sabu. Skipper goes for a cover, but it is not to be. Skipper hits Sabu with a high knee, and tags David Young back into the match. Young takes a boot to the face from Sabu, and is soon victim to Sabu flying off the middle turnbuckle. Hoyt is tagged back in, and Hardy rushes the ring to keep the Diamonds out. Hardy hits a Swanton bomb on Young for the victory at about 3:00. I thought Hoyt was the legal man? Perhaps I was confused, sometimes I miss things when I make a typo. Match was nothing special, but it didn’t kill the hot crowd ½*
Winners: Jeff Hardy, Sabu, and Lance Hoyt
After the match, Abyss runs in and hits the black hole slam on Sabu. Hardy and Hoyt come to the rescue.
-Shane Douglas is backstage with Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett feels repressed, as TNA tried to get rid of him. Jarrett announces that tonight is his one and only rematch against Rhino, which pretty much guarantees victory for Jarrett. Jarrett views tonight as a great moment in wrestling history, comparing his upcoming title victory to great accomplishments in the history of man. That’s a bit of a hyperbole, eh? Monty Brown interrupts Jarrett and puts himself over as deserving a title match. Jarrett pretty much admits that he is only getting the rematch due to a clause in his contract, which Brown sarcastically congratulates him for. It is pretty obvious that Jarrett vs Brown is going to happen at Turning Point.
-Tenay and West shill tonight’s Ultimate X match between Petey Williams, Chris Sabin, and Matt Bentley.
Monty Brown vs Brian Gamble
I smell a squash! Brown starts off aggressively, hitting punches, knees, and a suplex on Gamble. Brown wastes little time, hitting a release over head slam. The crowd chants “pounce” and Brown takes the advice to heart and hits a sick pounce on the poor jobber. The crowd wants another pounce, so Brown kindly helps Gamble to his feet for another one. Gamble sells the pounce well, I might add. The second pounce is just as effective. The sickos in the crowd want a third pounce, so Brown obliges. Gamble can hardly stand, but Brown sets him up for a third and final pounce! Brown gets the pinfall at 2:10 in what was a rather memorable squash match. ¼* I am surprised it went that long too, but most of it was waiting for pounces.
Winner: Monty Brown
-Next we are treated to a hype video for Rhino. It’s great to see TNA put over Rhino so strongly, let’s hope they don’t do anything stupid to halt his momentum… I could cry.
-After a commercial break, we get a short hype video for the X division.
Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, and Alex Shelley vs AJ Styles, Sonjay Dutt, and Austin Aries
Ah, now THIS is what I am talking about. The fact that these six particular competitors have now been featured on primetime television brings a warm feeling to my heart. West and Tenay do a fine job putting over all six men, particularly Styles. Aries and Shelley start off the match, tying up in the middle of the ring. Shelley pushes Aries into the corner, and keeps a headlock applied. Shelley pushes Aries to the mat and blows his nose on him. Aries fights out of a head scissors and hits a drop kick to the head of Shelley. Shelley stops to see if he still has all of his teeth. Aries grounds Shelley again and goes over the ropes with a twisting splash. Aries puts Shelley in a headlock and makes the tag to Sonjay. Aries and Dutt floor Shelley and Aries hits a pendulum elbow. Dutt does a dance and hits an elbow of his own on Shelley. Shelley finally stands up on his own, but is under assault by Dutt. Dutt hits an arm-drag on Shelley and wrenches Shelley’s wriest. Dutt goes to the top rope and does his signature sprinkler spot. Shelley soon after bounces back and hits a back suplex on Dutt. Shelley tags in Joe, who dominates Dutt. Dutt goes for an off the ropes back drop, but Joe just walks out of the way. Joe slings Dutt into the corner and hits a running knee. He repeats the spot, and Dutt is just about dead. Daniels tags himself into the match and kicks away at a weakened Dutt. Joe is not pleased, but he accepts it. Dutt counters Daniels and hits a hurrancarana. Dutt tags in AJ Styles, who hits a series of arm-drags on Daniels. Styles hits a dropkick on Daniels, who backs into his corner. Joe tags himself into the match, returning the favor to Daniels. Joe hits a ferocious kick on Styles. They fly off the ropes, but Joe walks out of the way. Styles catches Joe and puts him in a reverse chin lock on the mat. Shelley tries to break it up, but gets put into an Octopus submission hold. Daniels tries to stop this, but Aries catches him and puts him into his own submission. That was a hell of a spot. Style and Aries double team Joe, and Aries hits a beautiful kick to the head of Joe. Aries is on fire, and hits a suicide dive on Christopher Daniels and Alex Shelley on the outside. Aries goes back to the apron, but Joe kicks Aries into the guard rail. Joe throws Aries back into the ring, and crushes Aries with his big knee drop. Joe goes for the cover, but it misses. Joe goes for a sleeper, but Aries fights out of it quickly. Aries runs into a power-slam by Joe. Joe tags Daniels into the match. Aries counters a suplex, and tags in Styles. Styles cleans house on Joe, Shelley, and Daniels into Joe roars in the face of Styles. Styles goes to the top rope and hits a flying forearm. Shelley attacks Styles, but gets caught in a German suplex. Styles crushes Shelley and almost gets the wing. Daniels rushes in and attacks Styles. Daniels gets the STO on Styles, but is jumped by Sonjay Dutt. Aries and Joe collide in the ring, as Aries hits an amazing flip slam on the much larger Samoa Joe! Shelley pushes Aries out of the ring and hits a sick suicide dive on Aries, who barely made it to his feet. This is the best television match I have seen in ages. Daniels and Joe have Styles alone in the ring, and look to capitalize. Joe and Daniels miscommunicate, as Joe accidentally clotheslines Daniels. Styles goes for the Clash on Daniels, but Alex Shelley saves him. Styles catches Shelley with the clash for the victory at 9:32! My only complaint with this match was that by the end it did not matter who the legal man was, but it was still a hell of a match! ***3/4!
Winners: AJ Styles, Sonjay Dutt, and Austin Aries
-Shane Douglas is backstage with Rhino, the NWA World Champion. Douglas puts Rhino over for winning Monster’s Ball, the gauntlet, and the title at Bound for Glory. Rhino says he has proven he has the heart to be the champion. He says over the past four years he has dealt with politics and scum-bags, but now he is the NWA Champion. Gee, I wonder where he dealt with all of that. Raven busts in and tells Rhino that he stole the NWA title. Suddenly, Larry Zbyszko busts in with security to have Raven thrown out. Rhino refocuses on the camera and says he will retain his NWA title against Jeff Jarrett. Rhino is actually a really good talker, and this segment really high-lighted how badly he was misused in WWE.
-Next up is a hype video for the Team 3-D/Team Canada match for tonight. Team 3-D wants to destroy Team Canada for participating in Jarrett’s funeral segment from several weeks ago.
Team Canada (with Scott D’Amore) vs Team 3-D
Team Canada is being represented by Eric Young and Bobby Roode in this contest. Team 3-D comes out, and it looks like Bubba has gained some weight. I did not notice it until this show, so maybe he had a festive weekend or something. Eric Young starts off the match against Devon. Eric Young’s most recent gimmick seems to be suffering the 3-D, let’s hope that streak continues tonight. Young flees the ring in the early going for a pep talk with D’Amore and A-1. Bobby Roode starts the match instead, using his strength to surprise Devon. Devon fights back and sends Roode into the ropes. Devon hits a flying shoulder tackle on Roode. Brother Ray hits some punches on Roode from the apron, and Devon slams Roode down and goes for a cover. Roode takes control, cornering Devon and punching away. Eric Young tags in, and he misses a clothesline and gets hit by a spinning shoulder tackle by Devon. Tag is made to Brother Ray, who hits some elbow drops on Eric Young. Young desperately tries to corner Brother Ray, but the former Bubba Ray Dudley is stronger. Brother Ray hits a stalling suplex on Young. Young rakes the eyes of Brother Ray, and is joined by Roode for a double team attempt. It fails, and Team 3-D sets up Young for the “Wazzzup!” Roode pushes Devon off the turnbuckle, and we go to a commercial.
After the break, Roode is in control of Devon. Roode pushes Brother Ray off the apron and chokes Devon. Roode tags in Young, and they briefly double team Devon in the ropes. Young hits some punches on Devon, and chokes him on the middle rope. Young looks nervous all the time, it is a good mannerism for him. Bobby Roode reenters the match, and puts Devon in a sleeper! Hey, what’s that… a rest hold? I suppose it is alright considering this is the first one of the night. Devon is fading, but the crowd is cheering him on. Devon shows signs of life, and he miraculously fights his way to his feet. Devon hits a power-slam on Roode, which Roode sells like a pro. Both men are down, and both want a tag. Tag is made to Brother Ray, but the referee didn’t see it. Bubba disputes this, as Roode and Young double team Devon. Young goes for another cover on Devon, but once again Devon kicks out. Young tags Roode back into the match, he hits a scoop slam on Devon. Roode goes to the middle turnbuckle and hits a flying knee to the face of Devon. Roode tags in Young, who goes for a cover attempt, but fails. Devon hits some punches to the gut of Young. Young recovers and drags Devon back into Team Canada’s corner. Young tags in Roode, who hits some kicks, but tags Young right back in. They go for a double team, but Devon hits a double clothesline on Team Canada. Devon finally makes the hot tag to Brother Ray, who cleans house on Team Canada. Ray hits some weak knife-edge chops and stacks Team Canada up in a turnbuckle for a bull-rush. Ray does battle with Eric Young, and fights off Roode with a fallaway slam. Ray hits a big powerbomb on Young, into a cover, which Roode breaks up. Devon enters the ring, and they double team Bobby Roode. Team 3-D waits for Young, the legal man, to reenter the ring. Team 3-D sets up Young for the 3-D, but are distracted by A-1 on the apron with the hockey stick. 3 Live Kru runs in to stop Team Canada, allowing Team 3-D to hit the 3-D on Eric Young for the victory at 10:53! This was an old-fashioned tag team contest, add in the hot crowd and it was a very enjoyable match **1/4.
Winners: Team 3-D
-Next is an advertisement for Genesis, accidentally referring to Jeff Jarrett as NWA Champion. I hope TNA does not get this careless again.
Ultimate X match: Petey Williams (with Scott D’Amore) vs Chris Sabin vs Matt Bentley
This is a rematch from Bound for Glory, which came about due to the big red X falling down during the pay-per-view bout. The three men all collide in the ring, with Bentley and Sabin double teaming Williams. Bentley tries to climb the scaffold in the early going, but Sabin throws him off. Bentley fights back and hits some punches. Petey Williams catches both me with a drop-kick. Williams tries to climb the scaffold himself. Sabin drop-kicks Williams, who falls into the scaffold. Bentley climbs up and suplexes Sabin, who was also trying to climb a scaffold. Petey Williams is hanging out on the arena floor, as he has found Traci. Traci climbs the scaffold to escape Williams, but Bentley comes to her rescue. What a nice guy, that Bentley is. D’Amore also catches the attention of Bentley, who is not noticing that Sabin is climbing the scaffold again. Bentley refocuses and hits a swinging neckbreaker on Sabin, off the top turnbuckle. There have been some cool spots thus far, but they could have done this in a normal triple threat match. Williams gets back into the match and stops Bentley from climbing. He sings the Canadian national anthem while forcing his boots into the groin of Bentley. Williams is attacked by Sabin. Sabin hooks up Williams in a tree of woe and hits a beautiful drop kick into the face of Petey Williams. Sabin fires away at Williams, misses an assault attempt on Williams, but improvises a suicide dive onto Bentley on the outside. That was cool. We go to a commercial as all men are down.
After the break, Williams has made his way to the cable and is climbing towards the X. Sabin hits a drop-kick on Williams, who falls. Bentley takes the fight back to Sabin, cornering him with chops. Bentley gets knocked to the floor, but goes back to climbing the scaffold. Bentley climbs the cable and makes it to the X, but Sabin catches him with a huge powerbomb! The X swings about as the crowd chants “Please don’t fall!” That is pretty funny. Williams is back on the turnbuckle, but Sabin jumps up and hits a German suplex on Williams, and it is a truly beautiful spot! Bentley is back on his feet first, and he climbs up the scaffold to the cables. Sabin goes to grab Bentley, but Bentley pulls himself up, out of grasp. Williams climbs up on Sabin’s shoulders to try and catch Bentley, but Bentley kicks Williams, and Sabin uses the momentum to slam Williams into the mat in another great spot. Bentley fell down in the process, but he is the first one to his feet. Williams gets up for battle, and hits a side Russian legsweep on Bentley. Williams is on fire and goes for the Destroyer. Bentley counters, and Sabin is back to his feet and breaks them up. Sabin hits the Cradle Shock on Bentley. Sabin goes to the scaffold and jumps out. He is having trouble hanging on to the cable, due to selling his arm. Williams catches Sabin and hits a modified inverted atomic drop. Williams follows up with the Canadian Destroyer. Meanwhile Bentley is climbing again. Bentley is close to the X, but D’Amore enters the ring to get him down. Traci tackles D’Amore, as the referee tries to regain control. Williams is now hanging near the X as well. Bentley and Williams play chicken until Williams hits a low blow on Bentley. Williams grabs the X and wins the match at 11:12. This was another cool Ultimate X match, but in all honesty it was not anything we haven’t seen before. It was still a great effort by the competitors ***.
Winner: Petey Williams
-Backstage, the other members of Team Canada are beating down 3 Live Kru with hockey sticks.
NWA World Championship: Rhino © vs Jeff Jarrett
Rhino is extremely over with the live crowd! He is getting the type of reaction that I’m sure WWE wishes John Cena was getting from their audience. Jeremy Borash does the special in-ring announcing for the match, to add importance to the match. Good idea. The crowd absolutely hates Jarrett, and I can’t say I blame them. We go to a commercial break before the bell can even ring. We are promised no commercials from here on out. Jarrett and Rhino tie up in the ring, but neither man can gain an advantage. They tie up again, with Jarrett wringing Rhino’s arm. Jarrett sends Rhino into the ropes, but Rhino pushes Jarrett down. Rhino goes off the ropes again, but gets caught with a drop-kick from Jarrett. Jarrett is looking for a tie up, but Rhino has had enough and kicks him. Rhino hits some knife edge chops, but Jarrett fights back, pushing Rhino doesn’t and slapping him on the back of the head in an attempt to embarrass him. Rhino quickly recovers and lifts Jarrett up over his head for a press slam. Rhino goes for the Gore, but Jarrett flees the ring. Rhino is hot on his trial, clubbing away at the back of Jarrett. Rhino tosses Jarrett over the guard rail. Rhino and Jarrett brawl into the audience, with Rhino gaining the upper hand. A fan holds up a chair for Rhino, and Rhino slams Jarrett’s head into it. Rhino drags Jarrett back to the guard rail and uses it to choke the former champion. Rhino rolls Jarrett back over the rail, and grabs Jarrett by the hair. Rhino slams Jarrett into the announcers table, and shoves the NWA title in Jarrett’s face. Rhino drags a table out from under the ring. Rhino places the table at ringside, but Jarrett is back on his feet and pissed. Jarrett fires away at Rhino, as they reenter the ring. Rhino fights back, and sets Jarrett up for a middle rope piledriver. Gail Kim runs to the apron, distracting Rhino. Rhino spits on her, but it is enough distraction for Jarrett to push Rhino off the turnbuckle. Jarrett slams Rhino into the guard rail at ringside. Jarrett heads back to the ring, giving Gail Kim to hit a kick of her own on Rhino. Jarrett tosses Rhino back into the ring. Rhino tries to mount a comeback, but Jarrett chokes Rhino on the ropes. Jarrett is able to keep the advantage, goes as far to put Rhino into a bear hug. I HATE the bear hug! Rhino quickly fights out of it. Jarrett catches Rhino with a high knee and goes for a cover. When that doesn’t work, Jarrett puts Rhino into a sleeper. Rhino fights out of it. Rhino lifts Jarrett onto his shoulders and drops him down to the canvas. Crap, I almost quoted Mike Tenay on that last sentence. Both men are down, but Jarrett somehow gets up first. Rhino is back up and blocks some punches from Jarrett. Rhino hits a running tackle on Jarrett and thrust his shoulders into a cornered Jarrett. Jarrett stops Rhino’s momentum with a boot to the knee of Rhino. Jarrett uses this to his advantage, locking the figure four onto Rhino. Rhino is in severe pain, but he is able to turn it over into a reversal. Gail Kim meanwhile climbed to the top rope to break up the hold by flying off. Rhino sensed it and moved out of the way. Rhino lifts Gail over his head and goes to throw Gail onto the table at ringside. Jarrett capitalizes, and rolls up Rhino with his feet on the ropes. The referee did not fall for this for once. Rhino catches Jarrett with a spine buster, and goes for the cover. This only gets a two. Jarrett fights back with some swinging punches. Rhino catches Jarrett with a belly to belly suplex. Rhino has Jarrett in position for the Gore. Jarrett moves out of the way, sending Rhino into the turnbuckle. Rhino fights back with a clothesline that misses and hits the referee. Jarrett gets his guitar, but misses a shot. Rhino hits the Gore and goes for the cover, but the referee is still out cold! Rhino takes the guitar and considers hitting Jarrett with it. Unfortunately, America’s Most Wanted run in. They set up Rhino for the Death Sentence through the table! DAMMIT! AMW drag Rhino back into the ring. Jarrett hits the Stroke on Jarrett and covers him. The referee is awake and counts to three as my heart breaks at 12:44. What a downer! As usual, Jarrett wins the title thanks to plenty of interference. **1/4.
Winner and NEW NWA Champion: Jeff Jarrett
-Backstage, we see that Team 3-D has been left in a bloody heap on the floor. The show ends with Jarrett, Gail Kim, and AMW posing.
Final Thoughts: What can I say, this was a very good show. The first two matches were disappointing, though Brown’s squash match was more fun than usual. The X division six man and the Ultimate X were both tons of fun. 3-D/Canada was solid tag team action and Jarrett/Rhino was actually better than I expected it would be. I am, however, really pissed and disappointed that Jarrett regained the title so quickly. I would like to think that this could springboard a feud between Jarrett and Rhino that would see Rhino wearing the gold again, but that does not seem likely. It seems apparent that Monty Brown is next in line for a title shot, which is still cool, but TNA really got my hopes up with this Rhino title reign. Overall though, I really enjoyed this should, it was a great effort by TNA and blew away every other televised program that WWE has presented us in a long time.
Thumbs up.
Edit: I changed some star ratings.