TNA Impact! Results: 4-26-07
1 -- STING vs. KURT ANGLE -- #1 Contender's match
The lights were dimmed for the match. Sting grabbed a headlock to start, and Tenay and West instantly talked up the pounding Abyss took last week. Tenay said there's no medical update, but Abyss won't be on the show this week. Blood was still on the mat, so they apparently didn't have time to change the canvas the last seven days. Angle went for an anklelock in the opening minute, but Sting escaped and slipped to the outside. They brawled on the floor before spilling into the stands. Angle then whipped Sting into the base of the grandstands. Suddenly, Team Cage hit the ringside area and pounded away on Angle and Sting. The ref then called for the bell.
After the match, Steiner put Sting in the Steiner Recliner on the floor. Christian, Styles, and Tomko worked on Angle before Christian laid out Angle with a chair shot to the head. Christian then worked on Angle's back with repeated chair shots as Styles and Tomko held him in the corner. Christian then DDT'ed Angle into the seat of the chair. Sting then recovered on the floor and cleared the heels with a chair. He then chucked the chair out of the ring and just missed Christian. Sting then knelt over Angle, who was bleeding from the forehead. Chaos ensued as men scrambled to find medical help for Angle.
WINNER: No Contest in 3:00. You only get one chance to deliver the first Angle vs. Sting match. I don't see how reinforcing Team Cage as Jeff Jarrett's vision of the Four Horsemen is worth giving away Angle vs. Sting I with a three-minute No Contest.
[Commercial Break]
Back in the arena, they showed footage of Kurt Angle being stretchered out during the commercial break. Tenay said Don West has been called away to meet with Jim Cornette. They cut backstage where Jeremy Borash interviewed Christian Cage, who cut a promo with Steiner, Tomko, and Styles standing over his shoulder. Styles wanted to know about his title shot, but Christian blew him off. Christian addressed Sting, who he said he would beat at the Sacrifice PPV. He told Steiner and Tomko to bring the title belts back to Team Cage. Don West then interrupted and said the word from Cornette is that Christian will defend his NWA Title tonight against Sting, and if Team Cage interferes, Christian loses the strap. West then ran away so Steiner wouldn't squash the messenger.
2 -- SUICIDAL STAMPEDE -- #1 Contender match to X Division Title
Too many rules for this one. A bunch of random guys doing random stuff in the ring. At least it's not a reverse battle royale, though. X Division champion Chris Sabin is ringside. Petey Williams went for the Canadian Destroyer on Kaz in the opening minute, but Shelley spewed water on him. Senshi then hit a flying splash onto several of the aforesaid random men outside of the ring. Lethal took advantage of the confusion on the outside to hit a top rope elbow drop on Kaz for the win. Lethal celebrated with Dutt, who was upset with Lethal for stealing his pin. Apparently, Dutt and Lethal are in a three-way with Sabin at the PPV for the X Division Title. Kevin Nash made a quick cameo to figure out why Dutt was upset.
WINNER: Lethal in 3:00. By the time you figured out the rules, the match was over. Just a bunch of spots. (1/2*)
Borash then gave us an update on Kurt Angle's health. Neck trauma, which is a little too close to home. And that green flashing light has me traumatized. Borash interviewed Sting, who said all that matters with Christian Cage is what's on the inside, not on the outside. Sting said it will be showtime tonight.
[Commercial Break]
They showed a video package on Robert Roode treating Eric Young like crap for the last few months.
In the ring, Robert Roode and Ms. Brooks waited for Eric Young to show up and announce his friend. Young then came out looking crestfallen. He took the mic from Roode and said Roode has everything he could possibly want - power, money, and the girl. Young then said all he has is pro wrestling, which is what Roode is trying to take away from him. He said his friend has given him tremendous advice, but you have to fight your own battles sometimes. Young told Roode that he can fire him if he wants, but his word will never be broken. Roode told Young not to leave the ring, and he doesn't care about Young's pathetic past, but he cares about the friend. Roode grabbed Young by the throat, then slapped him across the face as Roode demanded to know who the friend is. Roode called him pathetic like all of the fans, then Young reared back and decked Roode with a right hand blow. He pounded on Roode in the corner, then Ms. Brooks grabbed him from behind. Young then snapped on Brooks with a powerbomb and went after Roode again. Brooks recovered, though, and landed a low blow from her knees. Roode then went to work on Young as Brooks sold a back injury. Roode picked up a chair and laid out Young with a chair shot to the head. Young bled from the forehead, then Roode handcuffed Young's hands behind his back. Brooks brought Young to his knees, then Roode gave Young three seconds to reveal the friend or he would scramble his brains.
Roode reached three, then Jeff Jarrett's music hit and Jarrett came to the ring with a guitar in hand He knocked down Roode, then gave him a back body drop to clear him to the outside. Brooks then went for a low blow from behind, but Jarrett blocked it and nailed her with a guitar shot to the head. The fans in the arena exploded, then Jarrett helped Young to his knees and checked on his blood-soaked forehead. Well, a few things here. Roode stepped it up a notch with his heel persona. Eric Young nailed a home run with his promo. Well-done segment with raw, real emotion. Of course, the big story at the end of the segment was Jeff Jarrett getting the rub from Young by saving him from certain cerebral dismemberment.
[Commercial Break]
Back in the arena, Konnan was on commentary with Homicide and Hernandez standing in the background. Tenay and West then recapped Jeff Jarrett showing up as Young's friend. West talked about the history between Jarrett and Young, dating back to when Jarrett sent Young on a Sting-hunting mission.
Backstage, Scott Steiner snapped on Jeremy Borash and Tomko that he doesn't follow in anyone's shadow. They needed a second (or third, fourth, or fifth) take on the promo, with Steiner stumbling throughout. Tomko just stood there and took Steiner's abuse. Steiner told Tomko to make sure he dots his t's and crosses his t's, then he stormed off. Tomko asked Borash if he heard that correctly, then called Steiner an idiot.
3 -- TEAM 3D (BROTHER RAY & BROTHER DEVON) vs. TOMKO & SCOTT STEINER
Konnan demanded to know when LAX would receive their tag title re-match. West added more fuel to the fire, which set off Konnan. Tomko caught Ray with a big boot to the face in the opening minute. Ray made a quick comeback with a full nelson slam on Steiner. They showed Hector Guerrero standing ringside to get a closer look at the action. Devon took a hot tag and knocked down the heels before giving Tomko a powerslam. The action then broke down and LAX tried to get involved, but mass confusion ensued in the ring. Tomko simply tossed aside Homicide, then 3D then hit a hanging neckbreaker on Tomko to score the pin. Afterward, Steiner & Tomko easily cleared Homicide & Hernandez from the ring. Konnan said their issue is now with Steiner & Tomko.
WINNERS: Team 3D in 4:00. Short, formula tag match. LAX's interference was useful to set up a three-way tag title match at Sacrifice, but the way it was presented cut the legs out from under LAX. (*)
[Commercial Break]
Eye Spy this week was Alex Shelley catching up with Mr. Backlund, who was walking around Orlando. Shelley took Backlund back to the time when Kevin Nash beat him for the WWF Title in nine seconds. Shelley said he could beat Backlund in nine seconds, then he said any of the younger wrestlers could beat Backlund in nine seconds. Shelley then sent Backlund on a penny-hunting mission, but Backlund discovered the X Division Title belt in the bushes. Chris Sabin suddenly popped out of a tree like a bad kung-fu movie and Backlund chased him around the grass. There's your X Champion, folks.
Backstage, Borash said doctors have stabilized Angle's neck, but there's a possible concussion. Christian Cage interrupted and said no one cares. He said Jim Cornette keeps trying to screw with him, but he doesn't need Team Cage to retain his title. Christian said he's the real deal and he will remain champion.
4 -- CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. STING -- NWA Title match
Sting came out first, then he jumped Christian in the entranceway to start the match. Sting took advantage of his heelish tactics and scored a nearfall in the opening ten seconds. He then shoved Christian off the top rope to the floor before they cut to a break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from the break, Christian stood on Sting's throat with his boot to choke the life out of the challenger. Christian then went up top and missed with a diving headbutt when Sting moved out of the way. Tenay plugged next week's matches, including Team 3D vs. Samoa Joe & Rhino. Sting then made his Superman comeback and press slammed Christian. He followed with a Scorpion Death drop, but it was good for a nearfall only. Kurt Angle then came to ringside and ripped off his neckbrace. He threw the referee aside and jumped Christian. The ref called for the bell, then Angle gave Christian an Olympic Slam. He picked up Sting's baseball bat and jabbed him in the gut, which the fans booed. West said Sting was taking out his frustrations on Angle for costing him the match.
WINNER: Christian via DQ in 8:00. TNA picked the wrong week to have two non-finishes in two big TV matches. Three days after WWE offered 55 minutes of amazing pro wrestling, TNA's booking doesn't hold up. Sure, TNA taped this show before Raw aired, so it's not a completely fair comparison, but they were caught with their pants down this week by throwing away Angle-Sting I and then booking an NWA Title match without any pre-show hype that ended in a No Contest. (*1/4)
or at the last minute they might have someone else come out who isn't really a contendor for the title at all but could fill in orton's gap. like ummm johnny nitro....or the great khali just to piss a lot of people off.
