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The time has come, TNA has found a new home on Spike TV! After dealing with Fox Sports Net, then hosting the show on their website, TNA has made the move back to national TV, and things couldn't be any better. All the top stars of TNA will be in attendance as Impact makes its Spike debut!
The show opened with a video packaging that hyped "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, The Naturals and "The King of the Mountain" Jeff Jarrett.
Match One - "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs Roderick Strong
This was a bonafide squash match that saw Styles use every one of his signature moves. Exciting to watch and a great way to kick off the show. "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels made his way to ringside to jeer the X Division Champion, claiming that Styles "has his belt." In the end, Styles was able to execute the Styles Clash giving him the victory.
Winner Via Pinfall - "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles
Mike Tenay and Don West then gave us a rundown of what was still to come, including the main event of Rhino vs Jeff Hardy, as well as footage of the "Canadian Controversy."
Next, a video package of "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown was played, with comments from Mike Tenay, Larry Zybysko and others.
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas caught up with "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown who did his usual spiel, telling his opponent that he was about to be "Pooounnnceeed!!" As Douglas was about to send it back to the ring, he was informed of a commotion in the back, which was revealed to be Raven cracking security guards in the heads with a garbage can, before being stopped by more security and Zybysko.
Match Two - "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown vs Lex Lovett
Lovett was demolished by Brown, who as he promised, delivered a Poooounnnnceee!
Winner Via Pinfall - "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown
They played a video package to hype Bound For Glory, TNA's next PPV of which the first 30 minutes are free due to a special 7:30 pm start time. This was followed by a video package that talked about the X Division.
Match Three - Three Way X Division Match - Petey Williams vs Alex Shelly vs Chris Sabin
Another fast-paced match. Some unique pinning combinations in this one, the action was quick to spill out to the floor, with Shelly diving through the ropes, between the legs of Chris Sabin who had been standing on the ropes, dazed after being chopped. With Shelly and Williams on the floor, Sabin gathered his bearings and pulled off an incredible asai moonsault. We came back from commercial break just in time to catch Williams hit Sabin with a springboard, spinning DDT. Everyone attempted their finisher, but Sabin made out the best, planting Shelly with the Cradle Shock for the victory. After the match Williams got some revenge, hitting The Canadian Destroyer on Sabin.
Winner Via Pinfall - Chris Sabin
Backstage, Shane Douglas was questioning Larry Zybysko as to what the big surprise was going to be. Thats when Tito Ortiz made an appearence, walking into Zybysko's office as Zybysko turned to Douglas and said, "Surprise!"
TNA shilled their Best of DVDs, available in stores on October 4 (but available in our SLAM! Wrestling store now!). This was backed up by a video package that discussed the 3 Live Kru.
Match Four - "The Man Beast" Rhino vs "The Charasmatic Enigma" Jeff Hardy
Rhino jump started the match by attacking Hardy from behind. The rest of the match was back and forth, until Rhino missed the Gore and was hit with a Twist of Fate. Hardy went for the Swanton Bomb, but "The Monster" Abyss shoved him off the ropes, leading to the referee throwing out the match. James Mitchell threw Abyss a chair as a two-on-one beatdown ensued on Hardy. Rhino and Abyss began tugging for possesion of the chair as the lights went out. When the lights came back on, "The Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal" Sabu was in the ring with a chair of his own. He threw the chair at Rhino and Abyss, and as Hardy jumped off the top rope onto Abyss, Sabu did a springboard off the chair, onto the top rope onto Rhino to the floor.
Winner - No Contest
They showed clips from the Border City Wrestling Show, International Incident, where Jeff Jarrett, with the help of America's Most Wanted, defeated Raven to capture the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. It was also revealed in the video clips that Team Canada Coach Scott D'Amore was in on the whole thing. Jarrett and AMW made their way to the ring next, gloating of the title win and then introducing D'Amore. D'Amore told Jarrett to remember the deal, that if D'Amore needed anything, it would get done. On that note, 3 Live Kru made their presence felt, getting into a verbal altercation with the champ, leading to a brawl. Team Canada made the save, and the Kru was outnumbered. Team 3D (Dudleys) was out next, clearing ring and delivering up 3Ds to both memebers of AMW. Jarrett recieved a few punches and bailed, but as he was about to leave, Kevin Nash appeared and chased him back to the ring, where he was met with a "Waaasssup Headbutt" and a Jackknife Powerbomb. Nash grabbed the mic and challenged Jarrett to a title match at Bound For Glory, as Team 3D challenged AMW for a tag match on next week's Impact.
Impact was red hot and rock solid once again. This show was a great way for the company to make its debut on Spike. They were able to introduce their own talent, show their star power and provide fans with some great action. TNA is on the fast track to success, and they show no signs of stopping.
Chris Sokol is from Long Island, NY and is glad that Impact is back and now on Spike TV.